McCall Idaho Headline News

Booking 1,300 reservations for the skiers, officials and guests expected to show up for the 2008 Masters World Cup has been a manageable scramble, according to Tamara DeBoer of www.InIdaho.com.

DeBoer and husband Mike are co-owners of the online service the Masters World Cup has listed for booking lodging, air travel, excursions and other travel needs for event participants and their guests.

The 10-day event is slated to begin Feb. 28 with competition starting March 1 at Ponderosa State Park. "It's been a lot of work with all the details-but fun," Tamara DeBoer said.

The amount of lodging available in McCall has worked in favor of the athletes because InIdaho did not have to look outside the local pool when making arrangements, she said. However, local lodging is nearly sold out for the duration of the event, DeBoer said.

DeBoer said InIdaho has a list of spaces still available for those wishing to attend the races as spectators or who want to come up for alpine skiing.

Alpine skiers can expect a pleasant experience with uncrowded slopes during the week of the Nordic races, she said.

"We have great downhill ski packages for midweek at that time," she said.

In addition to lodging, InIdaho has booked reservations for race participants' air travel, car rentals, and excursions to sightsee on time off.

Most of the 664 Americans and 156 Canadians racers and their guests have opted to stay in condominiums or cabins that list with InIdaho, but Europeans have opted for hotels for the most part, DeBoer said.

The Russians at 122 strong have booked up the entire 22-room Brundage Inn and all nine Brundage Bungalows as well as rooms at the Americann.

Seven of the 11 Brundage Vacation Cabins are booked for the Masters and 52 of Americlnn's 66 rooms are booked to Russians and Norwegians.

Western Mountain Lodge and the Super 8 Motel will be hosting contingents of Germans and Norwegians. Fifty-five Germans and 45 Norwegians registered to race in the event.